Backyard Birding

This is more a bit of roadside birding than backyard birding, but we saw something very exciting yesterday and I am wondering if it is at all possible that we actually saw what we think we saw.

Driving North, we saw a group of very large birds flying fairly low over the cornfield. I pulled off to get a closer look.

There were eight birds flying with their heads outstretched. Their bodies and necks were white, unlike the Sandhill Crane, which is originally what I thought they were (because of the way they were flying).

They were flying in circles and at first I thought they were getting ready to land, but they gradually rose and drifted off toward the Northeast, which is the direction the wind was blowing.

They had black primary feathers which were very distinct. I also caught a flash of red on the head, similar to the Sandhill Crane. But Sandhill Cranes are not white. These birds definitely were, and they were huge.

They reminded me of the storks we have at the zoo just because they were so large, white and had black on the edge of their wings.

So, how possible is it that what we saw were whooping cranes? That is the only thing I can find that fits what we saw. But there are only about 300 left in the wild, making sightings rare.

Whooping Cranes do migrate through Nebraska on their way to Texas. In fact, the Spring migration brings serious birders from all over the world who come enjoy the spectacle of the Sandhill Cranes and are hoping to catch a glimpse at one of these magnificent and highly endangered birds. Their path takes them to the Central Platte River Valley.

They normally pass through about 130 miles West of here, but we have had very strong winds gusting at over 50 mph which might have blown them a little off course.

For those of you more experienced in field identification, what are the chances that what we saw were actually Whooping Cranes? I do not even know of any North American birds which could be confused with them, especially given their size.

I wish I had pictures to share, but here is a video of some on their way to Florida as they are being taught to migrate by Operation Migration. The birds I saw were not flying in formation, but were circling slowly upwards.

My husband captured the squirrel at the bird bath, on camera anyway. They are terribly cute, even if a tad expensive to feed. This one has a boisterous compadre missing most of its tail that frequents the feeders as well.

Our feeders are finally a flutter of activity again. We do not yet quite have so many birds as before our lengthy feeding break, but we do have regular visitors. There is the flock of sparrows which visits each morning and afternoon. Then there are the mourning doves, that energetic blue jay and a handful of house finches which normally come and go with the sparrows. Today, a male downy woodpecker made an appearance, as did our white breasted nuthatch. I am sincerely hoping that the goldfinches will soon return.

I need to get some more suet. We used to have so many woodpeckers visiting our yard it was amazing. They still come and work over the trees in our yard, and the down woodpecker still comes for the sunflower seeds, but I miss the Northern Flicker which used to come at regular times, several times per day. Soon it will be cold enough to put out our homemade suet. Right now, I think it would just ooze all over the feeder!

Today, we will be taking a field trip to the Loess Hills of Iowa to catch what we can of the raptor migration. I will post pictures of what we see over the weekend. In the meantime, fellow 451Press blogger Susan Walsh shares some earthly gardening advice. As I plan my bird garden for next year, I will be perusing through her site to find out what I can.

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Mother Earth News has a good article on birdhouses posted on their website. The description of the birdhouse (complete with directions to make your own!) has everything I enjoy about backyard birding: it is simple and does not require an elaborate set up. Sure, you could purchase a birdhouse for $50 or more, paint it to match your house and complete with a welcome mat. If you are a serious woodworker, you can also find plans for a birdhouse which will challenge your skills and your tools. But if you want to use your saw and hammer to put something together with your children, the birds will not know the difference.

Why am I talking about nest boxes in the fall? While their main purpose may be fulfilled during the breeding season, nesting boxes can be important as roosting sites during harsh winter weather. These temporary shelters may then become a nest site in the spring.

If you are interested in making this addition to your backyard habitat, check out the article. The directions are about halfway through the article and there are some important housekeeping chores at the bottom.

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There are approximately 100 species of birds in North America that can be attracted to feeders, some more readily than others. Of course, there are many more species may be attracted to the habitat you provide on your property and in your neighborhood. To see what birds are likely to be present in your area this winter, Project FeederWatch is a wonderful resource, even if you do not plan on joining.

From the Explore Data page, you have several interesting options. You can take a look at the species that citizen scientists reported in previous years in your area, take a look at the top 25 feeder birds for your area and more.

Knowing what is likely to be wintering in your area is a good first step to attracting and identifying the birds as they winter with you, or even just stop for a snack while passing through. If you would like to keep track of the birds you sight, try printing of one of these checklists for your family.

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While some species of raptors can become a pest at feeders, they are amazing birds to watch. One of the most exhilarating experiences I have had with my backyard feeding station was the day a red tailed hawk inspected our yard. Each fall, millions of these magnificent birds migrate south and head through a narrow corridor in central Veracruz, Mexico. That, I am sure, is a truly amazing sight. I have read that it is like watching a river of hawks flying overhead as they make their way to their winter homes. I am sure that these pictures do the event little justice.

While nothing quite that amazing shall be occurring here in the United States, our raptors are readying themselves for this migration. In fact, according to the Hawk Migration Association of North America, the peak period for observing the fall migration is between September 20 and October 20. Check here for an interactive map which will help you find where a viewing site may be located in your state. Participating in a count day can be very educational, and experienced birders are generally available to assist in identification and to answer questions. If you cannot make the count day, however, a trip to the area any time during the migration will likely yield a few memorable sightings.

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As many North American birds prepare to fly south for the winter, many species may be in your area for a short time that you are not normally able to see. Some may even stop at your feeders for some needed calories on this arduous flight. During migration, our birds stick to four main flyways which correspond fairly closely to major topographical features of North America: the Atlantic Flyway, the Mississippi Flyway, the Central Flyway and the Pacific Flyway.

Because the birds follow these features for the most part, you may notice some interesting things at this time of year. We used to live a bit south of the Missouri River and the geese in our area used the river as a sort of road to the Mississippi Flyway. So every fall we saw great flocks of geese heading north for the winter. They seemed confused to us, especially since we did not realize at the time they were flying to the Missouri to follow its course.

Watch your birds as the season changes. Some species will become scarcer and scarcer until you realize that you have seen the last of them until spring. Others will begin to form large flocks in preparation for migration. Last year, we had a surprise visit from a small group of blue birds which came every morning for a week before they disappeared. Before the last of your birds head south, however, you may notice your first winter visitors.

Ways to enjoy this spectacle with your family:

1. Set up feeders if you have not already.

2. Sign up for Project FeederWatch.

3. Check with your local parks and birding clubs to see what activities are being offered.

We will be looking at migration all week, so stay tuned!

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Over the weekend, I had the opportunity to go on my first official birding hike. This is the habitat we explored:

A mixed forest, filled with ponderosa pine and aspen.

A mountain stream.

And a beautiful lake, nestled in a valley.

The habitat is very different from what I am familiar with here in Eastern Nebraska. While it isn’t exactly in my backyard, the best sighting of the day was a bird that can be attracted to feeders if you live within its habitat, the Steller’s Jay.

This raucous bird has the widest range of any North American jay, extending from southern Alaska, south to Central America and east to the Rocky Mountains, which is where we saw them. Once in awhile, they may be seen far from their home range, although no one really knows why. These adventurous birds tend to be younger.

They prefer forested areas. All three of the birds we saw were near the woods at about 7,000 feet.

If you live within the range of the Steller’s Jay, you will likely be successful at attracting them with sunflower seed, corn or suet.

In October, we will be going to the Smoky Mountains. I wonder what new discoveries are awaiting us there!

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It is interesting just how many people are involved in birdwatching in some manner. From setting up a basic feeder to joining the “600 Club,” it is a hobby for enthusiasts at all levels. According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service, 48.6 million Americans now include birding as one of their hobbies. One of the greatest attractions of this hobby is that little cost needs to be involved to get started. But that does not mean that people do not find a way to spend money.

Birders may not need expensive equipment, but they have money to spend. Americans spent $45 billion observing, feeding and photographing wildlife in 2006, according to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service survey. USA Today

Businesses and states are beginning to recognize the importance of this growing market and are catering directly to birders. Luckily, we seem to be leaving a favorable impression.

“…And they are a very thoughtful group that believes in leaving no trace, so they don’t require a lot of municipal services to clean up after them.” Ibid.

Birding, like any wildlife activity, instills an appreciation for nature and a curiosity in the natural world. It emphasizes basic values, such as cleaning up after yourself, respect for the environment and basic conservation. It invigorates the mind and relaxes the body. What other benefits do you see in birding?

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There are essentially four basic feeder types, with seemingly infinite variations of each.

The Platform Feeder,

As the name implies, is a simple platform which may be mounted on a pole, tree or even against a window. Other designs, hang from a poll or branch. The seed is highly visible to birds as they fly past since it is not hidden inside the feeder. This feeder offers a nice place for larger birds to feed. A large platform feeder will also allow you to see more of the birds’ natural social behaviors since the accommodate more birds at a time. The main drawback is that most platform feeders leave the seed exposed to rain and snow, allowing for spoilage.

The Hopper Feeder

This seems to be the standard in bird feeding. It has a closed hopper which holds seed, protecting it from the elements. A small seed tray offers seed to the birds. Just about any seed can be placed in the hopper. It accommodates small to medium sized birds well, although our grackles will eat from it when there is nothing at the other feeders. While the seed is somewhat sheltered from rain and snow, it is still important to check the condition of the seed regularly, especially after a heavy rain.

The Tube Feeder

These are tubes which allows seed to be dispersed through holes. The narrower tube feeders with tiny holes and perches are designed for Nyjer seed to attract finches. Larger ones may hold other types of seed, particularly black-oil sunflower seed. Small birds perch comfortably on the small perches provided. Woodpeckers also cling to the side of our long tube feeder to eat.

The Globe Feeder

This feeder is designed with the small songbird in mind. It requires birds to approach the feeding station from the bottom, sometimes even hanging upside down to reach the food. They are particularly attractive to the more agile chickadees and nuthatches as well as pine siskins, goldfinches and titmice. Larger birds cannot easily get to the food and have nowhere to perch so your seed can be spared for your smaller birds.

There are a number of specialty feeders as well, each catering to a specific species such as orioles or hummingbirds.

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If you feed birds, you will have dropped seed decorating your lawn. This may even account for some stray, unplanned plantings throughout your yard. While some spillage is inevitable, there are steps you can take to minimize the mess.

Feed your birds the seeds they want.

Many of the cheaper commercial mixes are full of filler seeds such as wheat and red millet which song birds do not eat. Instead, they sweep the undesirable seed out of the way to get to their favorites. We have found that even offering mixes of seeds they do eat such as corn, millet and sunflower seeds causes this sweeping behavior as they select their preferred foods.

Use a dark ground cover.

The ground under our feeders is black from all the sunflower seed hulls and Nyjer seed. If our garden were covered with white gravel, this would be much more noticeable.

Select low growing ground cover near feeders and small bushes.

These plants will hide the spent seed, but not provide a hiding place for cats. Plants also make the area more attractive, and if you choose them with wild birds in mind may also serve as an additional attraction. Birds like flowers, shrubs and even weeds near their feeding sites. But make sure that they have a clear view of any potential predators that may try to use these plantings to aid in stalking.

Buy hulled bird seeds.

These cost a little more, but it is an option if the quantity of hulls is creating an eyesore in your garden. Machines do the work of cracking out the heart of the seed and the waste is deposited elsewhere before you even purchase it. This has the added advantage of attracting birds that are not able to crack open the sunflower or safflower seeds.

Feed less.

Once birds have added you to their dining route, they will continue to come expecting food. If the feeders are empty, they will forage on the ground and pick up some of the mess they left behind. You can let your feeders go empty for a day once in awhile without fear of losing your regular visitors. If you only do this when the weather is fair, you do not need to worry about causing hardship in your birds due to the missing resource.

Or, you could choose not to worry about it.

We really enjoyed our surprise sunflower garden this year. So did the goldfinches when the sunflowers began to produce seeds. Birds at the feeder are interesting to watch, but goldfinches maneuvering on the ends of sunflower heads? They had an intensity I had never seen in them as they perched sedately on the tube feeder. As the flowers moved in the wind and under their weight, they also showed off their amazing agility, sometimes even taking seeds in flight. And all of that waste is biodegradable and provides wonderful fertilizer.

[birdwatching, birding, backyard birding, gardening[/tags]

Today is Constitution Day and what better way to celebrate than with a story from the only one of our founding fathers to have signed all five of the documents which declared our independence from Britain?

January 26, 1784, Benjamin Franklin wrote a letter to his daughter in response to the adoption of the Great Seal with a poorly drawn Bald Eagle as its centerpiece. He thought it looked more like a turkey. After essentially describing the Bald Eagle as an ignominious coward, perhaps more descriptive of the British than the American, he goes on to say,

I am, on this account, not displeased that the figure is not known as a bald eagle, but looks more like a turkey. For in truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America. Eagles have been found in all countries, but the turkey was peculiar to ours; the first of the species seen in Europe, being brought to France by the Jesuits from Canada, and served up at the wedding table of Charles the Ninth. He is, besides, (though a little vain and silly, it is true, but not the worse emblem for that,) a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, who should presume to invade his farmyard with a red coat on. Franklin’s letter to his daughter, 1784

The wild turkey can be found throughout much of the United States, and even enticed into your yard if you live in a more rural area. Like many wild animals, they love corn. I have heard of them contentedly cleaning up dropped seed under feeders, but I have also heard of them becoming a nuisance. They are large birds and travel in small groups called “rafters.” If they discover there is food to be had in your feeders, they can make short work of them as this blogger describes.

We do have wild turkeys around where we live. It is a treat to see them in the brush along the roadside on our way into town, especially when they cross the street with their poults in a neat little line. The picture above was taken during our recent outing to the Nebraska Sandhills, East of where we live. They have never come into our yard, however. I think it might be better that way.

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Birds have no teeth, yet must somehow grind the food they eat for digestion. For this, they swallow grit which is stored in the crop. Birds scavenging along the edge of the road are frequently searching for grit. It is generally widely available in nature, but can be a little more difficult to find in the winter when the ground is covered with snow. Offering this necessary resource can make your feeding station more desirable to a greater diversity of bird species.

Grit can actually be purchased from a wildlife habitat store and of course there are special feeders designed just for holding it. Crushed oyster shells can also be purchased which have the added benefit of providing calcium to your birds.

There is another source, however, which is frequently overlooked: egg shells. Offering egg shells to your birds is easy and free. Just follow these simple steps:

1. Peel the inner membranes away from the inside of the shells.

2. Boil or bake to sanitize.

3. Crush into small, bird-bite sized pieces.

4. Offer in a dish or other container near your feeders.

If you have children, or just an inquisitive mind, you might like to try some of these activities as you prepare to begin cracking eggs. A diagram of an egg will also be helpful in identifying the parts of the egg as you dissect it. This provides one more glimpse into the fascinating world of birds!

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For most feeder watchers in North America, the southward migration of the hummingbird is not so exciting as the northward migration. The numbers slowly dwindle until it becomes apparent that there are no more hummers taking advantage of the feeder and it is taken down. The migration can begin as early as July and last until November, making many unsure as to when they have indeed seen the last hummer of the season until it is already gone.

Here in Eastern Nebraska, however, this is an exciting time. Hummers do not generally nest in this area, but they do pass through while migrating. We get two chances a year to attract these sassy little birds to our yards: during the spring migration and during the fall migration.

And the hummingbird migration is upon us. Ruby throated hummingbirds have been sighted down at Pioneers Park, on the outskirts of the capitol. I have written previously about how to attract hummingbirds. I guess it is time to dust off my feeder and set it out with the others!

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Project FeederWatch is a citizen science project that surveys birds that visit feeders in winter. When you register, you get a poster of the most common feeder birds to aid in identification, a booklet describing the count and how to attract birds and a nice calendar to keep track of count days. The data collected during this annual count is published in multiple journals and used by researchers to track the health of our feeder bird populations.

We learned a great deal from participating last year and plan to take part again this year. Not only is it great encouragement to take a few notes while watching your birds, you get to see the results that have been entered online for your state (or any other). It is interesting to see what birds are common in the state. Often, they are the same that are coming to your feeders, but not always.

Counts do not start until November, but FeederWatch will begin sending packets out this month. If this is something you are interested in, now is the time to start thinking about setting up feeders so that you will have something to count when the time comes! The cost is $15 which goes to help pay for the administration of the program.

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The Learning in the Great Outdoors carnival is up, with a multitude of posts to help you keep your children engaged in the great outdoors.